Written by

Joe Rexrode

and James Jahnke

DETROIT — It took almost two months beyond National Signing Day, but Malik McDowell has his school and Michigan State football has its five-star recruiting centerpiece.

McDowell, a blue-chip defensive end from Southfield, Mich., tweeted Wednesday he signed his national letter of intent with the Spartans on Tuesday night, about 45 minutes before the deadline for signing such a letter. McDowell still could have attended Michigan State without signing a national letter of intent, but this made it official.

“I’m official a Spartan Dawg!!! #GoGreen #GoWhite,” McDowell tweeted.

Spartans coach Mark Dantonio confirmed the signing on Twitter.

“Congrats to Malik McDowell and his family on his NLI to MSU,” Dantonio tweeted. “Big decision for family and all involved.”

McDowell verbally committed to the Spartans on Signing Day in early February. But his mother — Joya Crowe — refused to sign his letter of intent, preferring he attend one of his other finalists: Ohio State or Florida State. McDowell also strongly considered Michigan, especially early in his recruiting process.

McDowell’s father — Greg McDowell — also said he would prefer Malik McDowell to go out of state, but he said he supported his son’s decision to attend Michigan State. Greg McDowell could not sign the letter of intent because he does not have custody of Malik McDowell.

Dantonio held a news conference to discuss Malik McDowell, saying that he doesn’t usually do that.

“He has earned this press conference, Dantonio said. “He has earned this opportunity to talk about him because of the perseverance in the process.”

Dantonio said he had a text message waiting for him when he got off the practice field Tuesday and knew something might happen later in the night. He said he was “thrilled” to get the signed letter.

He also said there is “no problem” with Crowe, who made some unflattering comments about the school and the coaching staff during the process.

“I knew his family had concerns, and they were legitimate concerns,” Dantonio said, adding the lines of communication were open on all sides through the process.

“I give credit to his mother for doing that and that’s not easy to do.”

Dantonio also said he expects Malik McDowell to play this fall.

“I think Malik will be on the field for us. I just think he’s too big and strong and fast,” Dantonio said.